MCMASTER UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF ANESTHESIA TURNS 50 YEARS OLD

MCMASTER UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF ANESTHESIA TURNS 50 YEARS OLD

"I am very proud of two things in particular," said Dr. Norm Buckley, when reflecting on his 12 years as Chair of McMaster University's Department of Anesthesia. "One was the fact that we were able to introduce simulation based-learning, not just in anesthesia teaching but medical teaching in general, to the faculty at a time when there wasn't a lot of interest from leadership. The other thing I'm very proud of is our national leadership in pain research."

Dr. Buckley was one of three past Chairs to take part in a video retrospective, compiled by Dr. Anne Wong, celebrating the achievements of the Department over the last 50 years. Distinguished Visiting Professors Drs. Alexandra Harvey and Stephen Ttendo discussed outreach programs in Guyana and Uganda. "In 2000, there were only 10 anesthesiologists in Uganda," said Dr. Ttendo, Head of Anesthesia & Critical Care at Mbarara University, in Mbarara Uganda. The country now has close to 70 actively practicing anesthesiologists.

Dr. Saroo Sharda discusses equity, diversity and inclusion and the impact inherent bias can have on medicine and the healthcare system.

Other highlights from the day included sessions on the history and future of clinical practice and education in Hamilton, by Drs. Joel Hamstra and Phil Chan; critical care medicine, by Drs. Fred Baxter and John Hewson; 50 years of research in anesthesia, pain and critical care, by Dr. Jason Busse; competency by design in anesthesia, by Dr. Mike Parrish; equity, diversity and inclusion, with Dr. Saroo Sharda (who has since become the Inaugural Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion in the Faculty of Health Sciences); and the history of Indigenous people and medicine in Canada, with Dr. Patricia Farrugia.

The day's festivities wrapped up with a gala event, held at LIUNA Station. It featured a performance by the Weston Silver Band and entertainment by the Debaters', hosted by CBC's Steve Patterson.